Well it is 52° in the basement shop. By the time the space heater gets it into the 60s the evening is over. This is the time of year when I flatten my water-stones and start honing the backs of plane and chisel blades. You know, the time consuming never ending honing tasks. I just recently bought a Veritas lapping plate with grits. I am anxious to see how it does. I have a Stanley 4 ½, type 11, with a Hock blade/chip breaker that is my prize plane. I will be trying to lap the sole.

-- And Still Too Short - "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." John Lennon

18 replies so far

Forgot to mention, it will be -3 tomorrow and we will have 9 inches of snow before today is over. I insulated the basement last summer but I still have some stone walls and open door ways (no doors). I just ordered some Strip-Curtains hoping it will help hold in the heat.

-- And Still Too Short - "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." John Lennon

How many of you “52 is hot in shop” LJers are 60 or more years young? My blood just doesn’t flow like it use to. That being said, I still work in the shop in the 50’s I just make more trips up-stiars for coffee.

-- And Still Too Short - "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." John Lennon

yeah my garage shop usually doesn’t get above 55 even with space heater. I just keep it right next to where I’m working and wear a hoodie or hat and wool socks. After moving around a bit I usually find that 55 is perfect. The only downside is the cold is really hard on my hands, thats the worst part. Be sure to moisturize them so they dont crack and cut easily when you accidentally bang them against a tool, it also makes it much less painful when you do lol.

This is why I LOVE southern California :D Although it is freezing in the mountains (ok, hills) it’s nice where I’m at. A little cold at low 60’s for us, but my shop stays between 62 and 68 all the time right now.

I welcome 52 degrees. This past weekend I could see my breath until the kerosene heater warmed the garage enough to classify as comfortable. It doesn’t matter though because a cold shop is by far better than a warm shopping mall.